A former teacher at the Fort Peck Community College has been charged with theft from an Indian tribal organization, false claims, false writings and witness tampering.

Jerome Bruce Seaman, a 61-year-old resident of Poplar, previously taught math at FPCC. Court documents said Seaman was also an administrator of federal grants to the school. The documents said Seamean embezzled, stole or otherwise obtained by fraud property valued upwards of $5,000 that actually belonged to the college between December 2009 and March 2011. It alleged that Seaman provided written documentation outlining travel and other expenses that never existed in order to account for the missing money.The report also said Seaman allegedly provided false documents like receipts to back up his initial spending claims.It also said besides the alleged embezzlement of funds and false documents, Seaman attempted to corruptly persuade a witness by asking her to remain silent about his fraudulent actions.A press release stated Seaman was arraigned at a federal court session in Great Falls on Oct. 23 and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Seaman is currently released on special conditions and faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.